Chabad of Hackensack hosts city's first car menorah parade

World Record for most simultaneous Spinning Dreidels
Chris Pedota, NorthJersey

Members from Chabad of Hackensack, dance to celebrate the 2018 Hanukkah season following the lighting ceremony at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. (Photo11: Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com)

One by one, cars with menorahs mounted on their roofs paraded through the streets of Hackensack.

Down Summit Avenue, then Golf Place. Eventually making it to their final destination 2 short miles away: the Bergen County Courthouse on Main Street.

Each of the vehicles, from minivans to sedans, demonstrated to city residents that Sunday was the first night of Hanukkah. Together, the cars also represented solidarity with the city's Jewish community, as drivers came from all walks of life.

The parade, in which an estimated 20 vehicles participated, culminated outside the courthouse, where officials took part in lighting the city's grand menorah. The event, organized by the Chabad of Hackensack, is the first of its kind in the city.

"This event was born as a response to what happened in Pittsburgh," said Rabbi Mendy Kaminker, co-director of the Chabad. "In Judaism, the soul is like fire on a candle. The massacre extinguished the fire of those souls, and we want to bring back that light into the world."

This is at least the second gathering hosted by the Chabad of Hackensack held in honor of the 11 people killed at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in October. The shooting has been described as the the worst anti-Semitic attack in American history. Earlier this month, the group modified a planned lecture by a German rabbi for the anniversary of Kristallnacht to include a service for those killed.

Mayor John Labrosse and Deputy Mayor David Sims helped light the menorah alongside Kaminker, as dozens of families looked on.

"I made sure I was here, and I wouldn't have missed it for anything," said Sims, who left the Giants game in the middle of overtime to attend. "All races have to come together, and this is an important step in the right direction considering the tragedy in Pittsburgh."

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Those on Sunday gathered to celebrate one of the first major Jewish holidays since the Pittsburgh massacre, Kaminker said. And the atmosphere at the celebration was one of unity and hope, as the majority of attendees were young families from across Bergen County.

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Rabbi Mendy Kaminker from Chabad of Hackensack, lights the Menorah to celebrate the 2018 Hanukkah season during the lighting ceremony at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

Rabbi Mendy Kaminker from Chabad of Hackensack, speaks to participants prior the lighting ceremony to celebrate the 2018 Hanukkah season at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse speaks to participants prior the lighting ceremony to celebrate the 2018 Hanukkah season at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

Members of Chabad of Hackensack, light a torch as Rabbi Mendy Kaminker (L) looks on prior the lighting ceremony to celebrate the 2018 Hanukkah season at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

Rabbi Mendy Kaminker from Chabad of Hackensack, has a picture taken together with Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse (L) and Deputy Mayor David Sims (R) prior to the lighting ceremony at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

Rabbi Mendy Kaminker from Chabad of Hackensack, holds a torch as he speaks to participants while Deputy Hackensack Mayor David Sims (foreground) looks on prior to the lighting ceremony to celebrate the 2018 Hanukkah season at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

Rabbi Mendy Kaminker from Chabad of Hackensack, holds a torch as he speaks to participants while Deputy Hackensack Mayor David Sims (L) and Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse (R) look on prior to the lighting ceremony to celebrate the 2018 Hanukkah season at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

Rabbi Mendy Kaminker (center) from Chabad of Hackensack, Hackensack Mayor and Deputy Mayor and others, dance to celebrate the 2018 Hanukkah season following the lighting ceremony at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

Members from Chabad of Hackensack, dance to celebrate the 2018 Hanukkah season following the lighting ceremony at the front lawn of Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack on 12/02/18. Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com

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Ron Binsemone of Teaneck was at the celebration with his wife and three children. He said last year he participated in a similar parade in Englewood, but was happy to see the tradition take form in Hackensack.

"The most important thing is to spread the light and to spread the love," he said. "We're happy that this is happening here."

His 8-year-old daughter, Talia, who was dancing with her sisters ahead of the menorah lighting, said it was important to remember what the holiday season is about.

"Everyone needs to be free in the light and happy," Talia said. "Whatever you got, you need to be happy."

Similar parades take place in larger cities including New York and Philadelphia, Kaminker said. But he hoped that this week's celebration would continue in the city in coming years, and continue to grow.

"It's such a beautiful tradition to bring to Hackensack," Kaminker said. "It would bring light and the joy of the holiday to the people."

Given the enthusiasm expressed by attendees, Kaminker said, he anticipated the parade could be much larger next year.